§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department's vote in the Council of Ministers against a legislative proposal(a) was sufficient and (b) was not sufficient to achieve with other member states a blocking minority; [117220]
(2) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department abstained in the Council of Ministers on a legislative proposal which was passed by qualified majority voting; [117227]
831W(3) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department has been outvoted by qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers; and if he will list the legislation by year; [117243]
(4) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department indicated dissent from a proposal in the Council of Ministers but did not register a vote or abstention. [117262]
§ Mr. HuttonSince 1997, our records indicate that the United Kingdom Government have voted against a legislation proposal only once in the Health Council and subsequently, the health element of the Employment, Social Policy Health and Consumer Affairs Council. This was for the Advertising and Sponsorship of Tobacco Products Directive in 2002, the text of which we believed could have been clearer and could have gone further. We were outvoted, by a qualified majority, and the measure was adopted. We have not abstained or indicated dissent on a proposal in that time.